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By Neeti Aryal
It is certainly impossible but still if someone asks me to sum up my whole experience of my Japan trip in one word, the word would be "Overwhelming". And that's what I am feeling right now when I am trying to put my feelings into words.
It was almost magical the way I was selected for the programme. Having no plan whatsoever to go abroad in near future, I didn't even had a passport. And there I was! lucky to participate in South Asian Youth Invitation Programme.
Miss Ivanov's warm welcome at the Tokyo Narita Airport put the Nepali team at ease. We were the first team to reach that early; nearly at 7:30 A.M in the morning. All through the way from airport to Tokyo Prince Hotel, I saw the familiar flowers that were also back in my home and in my country. That made me feel so welcome and part of Tokyo that I forgot missing home and just thought as if Tokyo was welcoming me with open arms and I just made a promise to myself that I will forget every worry and tension back home and enjoy every moment of the trip. And that's what I did, as every moment; every second I spend in Japan has become a memory, which will forever remain imprinted in my heart.
After the orientation in 25th September we went to various traditional and local destinations such as Ueno, Asakusa and Edo-Tokyo Museum. And a hasty 15 minute shopping in hundred yen shop and we all were craving for more, especially the girls. Sumida River Cruise was entirely a novel experience for us Nepalese being a citizen of a landlocked country. We were enjoying every single second of it and trying to capture all those moments in our photographs.
Second Day we went to Ropongi Hill and we saw a whole miniature Tokyo from the observation deck of the top of the Ropongi Hill. Everytime we prepared our camera to capture the view of tokyo downstairs, it would be covered by mist. The Tokyo city looked so misty and beautiful.
After all these roaming, it was time to get serious for the programme as the formal programme started since the lunch hour. We met our Japanese friends and we had a hard time remembering who was who. After being divided in small groups, it was no longer difficult. I was in Group A whose theme was to discus International relations, security and Society. We discussed the issue of Security, Disarmament, United Nations, Miscellaneous Cooperation and Education. The group discussion was very enlightening and our Japanese team leaders tried their best to facilitate active group discussion session. Everyone in the group were from good academic background and with a excellent professional background. At first, I felt bit awkward and nervous, but later I found myself expressing my ideas which were eagerly listened to by everyone. The discussion made us realize that South Asian Countries, despite our regional and cultural difference share a similar problem: that of poverty and conflict. And we found a common understanding among us that divided we are weak; together we become strong. The Indians and Pakistani delegates were more bent on the issues of Kashmir however the discussion later become also focused in internal problems of Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Maldives. But we realized that everyone has their internal problem in their country, we should be more focused on the South Asian Forum rather than dealing with the internal issues of our countries. Then, the discussion gained momentum and it was more focused on the cooperation between Japan and South Asia.
After 3 days of discussion and formalities, we were all opting for some excitement, which we got in a form of Welcome Reception Party on 28th of September. We met diplomats and representatives of the Embassies of all South Asian Countries and also various members of Japan Nepal Society, Japan India Society and so on. We exchanged our cultural songs and dances which brought us closer. The event however ended in a Nepali way; with everyone dancing merrily in "resham firiri", a famous Nepali folk song.
The major highlight of the programme was our audience with T.I.H. Prince and Princess Akishino. All the delegates were clad in their national dresses. We were all in our respective positions. When T.I.H. Prince and Princess entered the room we were all serious and we were feeling bit afraid and awkward. But we all were overwhelmed by their warm welcome and response and their interest on our countries. They talked to us individually and asked about our countries. We were both surprised by their politeness and warm response towards us. The Japanese Culture of Politeness and Humility really touched our heart and gave us a lesson that will last forever in our lives.
After this memorable meeting with T.I.H Prince and Princess we departed to Hiroshima in a bullet train. Watching the heart stealing scenes from the window of train, we didn't know how soon the time flew and we got off to Hiroshima and we were off to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
And as the name itself, this park was the most memorable. It made us realize the futility and stupidity of war. A beautiful city went into pieces just in the name of some stupid scientific experiment!!!! We felt that after visiting this park, no one can dare to raise a gun, no can justify war. Our eyes were full of tears, we were too shocked even to cry. We just couldn't imagine how the people of Hiroshima had felt!! We must salute the courage of people of Hiroshima to rise above even after such a utter destruction. The lecture of bomb victim was equally heart shattering. We didn't have any words to say to her. The only thing we could do was admire her courage and bravery to face life after such desperation and pain.
The next day we went to Miyazima Shrine and had a wonderful time with deers. After lunch we gathered in Peace Memorial Park to meet our respective host families. Everyone was bit awkward and tense as we were leaving each other for whole one day as we had become so close. I was introduced with my host family. My Otosan and Okosan lived far off the main city in Hiroshima which was most delightful for me as I got opportunity to see the rural Japan. I had a wonderful time with my host family. My Okosan taught me to play koto, a japanese traditional musical instrument. We had a wonderful japanese dinner of tempura and rice and lots of vegetables. Next morning, I went to morning walk with my host mother. I cooked Nepali curry which was very much liked by my Japanese father and mother. It was surprising the way we had become so close in a single day. But time had come to say goodbye to them. They bade goodbye to me in Hiroshima station and we all went to Kyoto through bullet train. Next day, we visited Nijyo Castle and Kimono Museum.
Kyoto was old but beautiful. Despite its modernity, its traditional picture was still intact. This was a lesson for all of us to learn from Japanese people, the way they had preserved their cultural heritage despite the modernity.
So, that was how the trip ended. The whole trip was most wonderful. Our tour guides: Masaru san, Kimiko san, Akiko San and Nuno San were the most wonderful people we had ever met. In these 12 days, all 39 delegates had come so closer to each other that we felt so bad when the time came to bid goodbye.
The words won't be enough to thank Japanese Embassy to provide me for such a wonderful opportunity to visit Japan. I came to learn so much from Japan and Japanese people. The most important lesson is that of politeness and humility. "Bow down and the whole world bow down before you," I realized. I intend to share these experiences with as many people as possible. I wish that more and more people could visit Hiroshima and realize the destruction and futility of war. The message of Hiroshima should be spread all over the world to stop war.
ODEMO ARIGATO GOZAIMASH!
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